SUPPOSED FATAL ACCIDENT AT MAHURANGI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4300, 25 August 1875, Page 3

SUPPOSED FATAL ACCIDENT AT MAHURANGI.

It is many years since we have had to record an accident from drowning in our usually quiet river ; but there is every reason to fear there has been one during the past week. It appears that on Monday last, about 3 o'clock, two men (Messrs. John Pilkingtoi, formerly landlord of the William Denny hotel, and a man named Smith left the wharf at the township in a small boat to proceed down the river, taking some grog with them. They were heard at somo distance down the river singing, about 7 o'clock, aud again later on. One of tbo aen says he went to sleep, and when lie awoke, his mate, Pilkington, who had been pulling, was not in the boat, nor were tl:o oars. He then made use of a seat and paddled himself on shore close to Mr. Grant's, <> resident on the river. A search was instituted by Mr. Montgomery, proprietor of this hotel, when parts of the river were dragged, but with no other success than finding tlnj man's hat. It is only too probable that he has fallen out of the boat and been drowned. —[Correspondent, August 21.]